Security mounting for plastic globes or the like

ABSTRACT

A security mounting to hold a plastic light globe such as that found on street lights, park lights and the like, to the pole to discourage removal of the globe by vandals or thieves. A hemispherical metal bracket has a collar portion which fits over the pole and an internal screw which is securely tightened in place before the globe is assembled. A metal clamp ring is fitted inside the globe around the circular opening therein and the globe is fitted to the dish-shaped metal saucer forming part of the bracket to support the bottom of the globe outside and then through small openings a special tool is inserted to rotate individually small tongues held in place by locking screws which are individually tightened on top of the ring forcing the ring against the periphery of the globe and against the bottom, outside dish-like support. The tool entrance is just large enough for the special wrench and does not permit the use of ordinary pliers, adjustable wrenches or other common tools to release the screws and rotate the small tongues. The set screw for holding the bracket on the pole cannot be reached without removing the globe and so without the special tool it will be necessary for a thief or vandal to spend a good bit of time and cause considerable destruction to the globe and the bracket before it could be removed.

United States Patent 1 Inman Richard B. Inman, De Kalb, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Trimble House Corporation, Atlanta,

[22] Filed: Feb. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 119,184

[75] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl 248/187, 240/100, 240/135 [51] Int. Cl. F16!!! 11/04 [58] Field of Search 248/187, 203, 320,

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,248,534 4/1966 Cahill et al. 240/128 X 2,564,328 8/1951 Farrington et al 248/320 1,961,462 6/1934 Steinmayer et al.. 240/135 3,336,474 8/1967 Leibl 240/128 X 3,312,816 4/1967 Muller et al. .l 248/343 X 1,844,635 2/1932 Rowe 240/135 2,423,757 7/1947 Dedge 248/343 X 2,735,000 2/1956 Wilson et al 240/128 Primary Examiner -ewilliam 1'1. Schultz Anomey- -Patrick F. Henry [111 3,747,883 July 24, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A security mounting to hold a plastic light globe such as that found on street lights, park lights and the like, to the pole to discourage removal of the globe by vandals or thieves. A hemispherical metal bracket has a collar portion which fits over the pole and an internal screw which is securely tightened in place before the globe is assembled. A metal clamp ring is fitted inside the globe around the circular opening therein and the globe is fitted to the dish-shaped metal saucer forming part of the bracket to support the bottom of the globe outside and then through small openings a special tool is inserted to rotate individually small tongues held in place by locking screws which are individually tightened on top of the ring forcing the ring against the periphery of the globe and against the bottom, outside dish-like support. The tool entrance is just large enough for the special wrench and does not permit the use of ordinary pliers, adjustable wrenches or other common tools to release the screws and rotate the small tongues.

able destruction to the globe and the bracket before it could be removed.

4'Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIEU 3. 747. 883

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SECURITY MOUNTING FOR PLASTIC GLOBES OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Mounting brackets and attachment devices for light fixtures especially street light globes and similar arrangements; Security devices for attaching an article such as a globe to a post.

2. Description of the Prior Art The known prior art includes ordinary set screw and collar arrangements for attaching a globe to a post. These are attached to a post by an external set screw or nut which can be loosened and removed by any ordinary plier or wrench. Likewise, the globe is usually held in place by set screws or other types of-screws which extend from the outside to the inside against some sort of locking device on the globe. Such screws are usually operated from the outside by any ordinary screwdriver or wrench. Because of this there is a high incidence of loss of expensive light globes from theft and vandalism. The new molded plastic globes are practically indestructible to ordinary pebbles or 3-8 shot and the usual implements employed by vandals to destroy globes. However, such globes have become highly desirable to thieves and vandals and since these globes are more costly than glassglobes a high incidence of theft detracts from the overall value even though such globes are practically indestructible to the'usual vandalism.-

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By employing internal fastening meanssuch as a setscrew to hold the bracket on the post which can only be reached by removing the globe and then employing special fingers or tongues operated by special screws which are only reached through small openings by a special tool the light globes have been made secure against ordinary theft and vandalism. Those vandals or thieves without a special tool will soon become discouraged because of the trouble and time and risk involved in being discovered and will ordinarily abandon the effort without damaging or destroying the globe. On the other hand, the globe is readily removed by a repair man who has a special elongated tool that can be inserted up through the small hole in the support bracket. Also, the mounting and support is very secure against looseness and provides a quick and very effective means of mounting a globe on a lamp post so that wind or vibration does not'readily shake it loose. The arrangement is secure but-does not employ expensive locks or difficult key arrangements that could present an insurmountable repair problem. The cost is reason able enough whereby the cost of the installation plus the cost of the globe when compared with the former use of glass globes and the cost of vandalism makes the present arrangement economically superior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view looking down on top toward the end of the post with the plastic or glass globe broken away. a

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the staggered lines 2-2 of FIG. 1. a

FIG. 3 is one of a sequence of drawings illustrating the assembly and mounting of a globe with the present apparatus.

FIG. 4 is the second in the series of sequence of mounting.

FIG. 5 is the third of the sequence.

FIG. 6 is the final tightening and adjustment of the apparatus in place.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along lines 7-7 in FIG.'1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 the plastic or glass globe is designated generally by reference letter G, the globe ring is designated generally by reference letter R and the post bracket by the letter B and the post by the letter P. The overall external appearance and effect of the globe on the post has not been significantly or noticeably changed by the present invention and to the ordinary observer the outward appearance of the lamp post is the same. Likewise, globes G are presently made from plastic and resemble very closely those previously made from glass but the plastic is much more indestructible and for ex ample when shot by a 8-8 or a .22 Cal. bullet a small hole is made rather than shattering the whole globe and the hole is rather insignificant to the overall appearance or operation of the globe G. Such plastic globes G are most costly and are more desirable apparently to thieves and vandals than previous glass globes at least .untilthe novelty wears off.

The bracket B is somewhathemispherical in shape from aluminumor other metal or even from a suitable plastic and having keys ll thereon and a post opening 12 therein leading to an internal portion of bracket B which is the post collar portion 14 having a circular part 16 connected by anothercircular part 18 to the top circular plate 20 in which there is a pair of openings 22 through which the electrical wires 24 of cable 26 may be led for connection to'the light fixture (not shown). There is an inter-annular'ring 27.

A plurality of openings 28 spaced approximately at equal intervals around the ring 16 has a retainer assembly 32 therein comprising a special bolt 34 with a nut 36 and a head 38 in which there is a special key socket 40. The shaft of the bolt 34 is notched at 40 to be keyed by key 41 into a channel portion 42 formed in the lock finger or tongue 44 which is rotated as seen in FIG. l by turning the bolt 34 by manipulating the socket 40 in the head 38 to rotate the tongue 44 from a retracted position as shown in the dotted lines of FIG. I to the operative position shown in the full lines.

A split ring assembly R comprising a horizontal leg 50 and a vertical leg 52 is made from metal or the like in two pieces which are attached together by bolts 54. The vertical leg 52 has a offset portion 54 which fits against the edge 56 of the edge of the opening in the bottom of the globe G. The end 58 of the horizontal leg 50 engages the globe on the inside as shown in FIG. 2 and is tightened thereagainst by tightening the bolt 34 to tighten the tongue 44.

On one side of the collar 14 there is a block b having a setscrew 60 therein which is tightened against the post P prior to the installation of the globe G. This securely holds the entire bracket B in place on the post P to prevent removal.

Referring to the sequential FIGS. 3 through 6, inclusive, showing installation, the split ring assembly R is installed in the manner shown in FIG. 3 by first inserting one half of the split ring and positioning it with the legs 52, 50 in proper position and then inserting and installing the other half of the split ring R and fastening the ring together in the manner shown in FIG. 4 with the bolts 54. Then as shown in FIG. 5 the globe G with the split ring R in position is lowered in place until the globe rests on the saucer-like portion with the leg 52 and the entire collar designed thereby resting against the external collar and edge of bracket 16 and as shown in FIG. 6 the special tool T which has a handle 80 and a shaft 82 provided with a tip that is shaped complementary to and the same as the opening 40 in the head 38 is manipulated to tighten bolt 34 having moved the tongue 44 into place over the split ring R to bring the tongue 44 of each of the four shown in FIG. 1 over the ring defined by the horizontal leg 50 of the split ring assembly R.

If the globe G is to be removed without damaging or destroying same it is necessary to use a tool the same as 2T with a special end 84. Since thieves and vandals do not carry such tools and would not normally have same the present arrangement severely restricts the vandalism and reduces same accordingly.

Finger 44 is a cast one-piece item and has an integral boss 46 which is part of the casting. The hole 48 through the casting of finger 44 is internally threaded and receives the threaded screw 34 therein. This allows vertical adjustment for the varying thickness and diameters of the plastic globes G. The adjustment in this part is maintained by the small key 41 as shown in FIG. 1. The key 41 may be positioned in four 90 increments around the vertical centerline of the bolt 34 and subsequent locking in position is done by tightening the hex nut 36. The recess in B has vertical side walls and the pole P also has a snug fit which facilitates the locking of pole P securely. The interannular ring 27 allows a thin-walled pole P to have a backup for secure tightening of set screw 60. Without the ring 27 a thin-walled pole might collapse and there would not be the desired secure mounting. The two keys ll protrude from bracket B and the ring R has mating keyways which forestall any possible external rotational motion of the globe G. Rotation of globe G might unlock the cam casting B.

It should be noticed in FIG. 2 that the globe G does not exactly match the radius of casting bracket B. This is done to allow the unit to be used on various diameters of globe G. The split ring assembly R which is a casting can be located at various vertical heights with the above mentioned adjustment on the cam casting 44. Casting split ring assembly R is designed to give a two position circular application of pressure which would react with the opposite direct pressure approximately at the point on FIG. 2 where the curved underside of the bracket B terminates below the globe G affording a secure external fit on several diameters of globes G.

While I have shown and described a particular preferred embodiment of this invention together with a suggested mode of operation and installation thereof, this is by way of illustration only and does not constitute the only form of the invention since many changes can be made and various alterations, deviations, eliminations, substitutions, additions, integrations, refinements, and departures may be made in the embodiment shown without avoiding the invention as defined by interpretation of the appended Claims.

I claim:

1. In a security device for attaching an object with an opening therein such as a globe to a stationary member such as a post:

a. a support having means for attachment to said stationary member,

b. an external portion of said support extending outside of and beneath said object next to the opening,

0. and movable means inside said object and on said support and movable to latch said object against said external support portion,

d. said movable means having an actuating portion thereon recessed inside said object and reachable only by an instrument such as a special tool inserted therein, said external portion being closed around said stationary member except for a tool opening therein,

said support being a bracket having an internal portion to be conformed inside said object and an external portion extending outwardly from said stationary member and closing same therearound except for special tool openings; said bracket comprising a recess on the internal portion in which is fitted the end of the stationary support and there being attachment portions at spaced locations; securing members pivotally attached on said attachment portions and being operated to lie over the inside of the object; an actuating means on said securing members operable only by a tool of a special configuration inserted through said tool openings,

f. said securing members comprising flat finger members mounted in openings on said bracket and being retained in place by an actuating member passing therethrough; said actuating member being adjustable to allow said finger members to adjust for various thicknesses and sizes of globes.

2. The device claimed in claim 1: said actuating member being a screw threaded member keyed to said finger member.

3. In a security device for attaching an object with an opening therein such as a globe to a stationary member such as a post:

a. a support having means for attachment to said stationary member,

b. an external portion of said support extending outside of and beneath said object next to the opening,

c. and movable means inside said object and on said support and movable to latch said object against said external support portion,

d. said movable means having an actuating portion thereon recessed inside said object and reachable only by an instrument such as a special tool inserted therein, said external portion being closed around said stationary member except for a tool opening therein,

e. said support being a bracket having an internal portion to be conformed inside said object and an external portion extending outwardly from said stationary member and closing same therearound except for special tool openings; said bracket comprising a recess on the internal portion in which is fitted the end of the stationary support and there being attachment portions at spaced locations; securing members pivotally attached on said attachment portions and being operated to lie over the .inside of the object; an actuating means on said securing members operable only by a tool of a special surface and a vertical flat surface; said bracket having a vertical ledge against which the vertical portion of said segmented members are engaged when the assembly is tightened in place.

4. The device in claim 3: said segmented members each having a recess therein. 

1. In a security device for attaching an object with an opening therein such as a globe to a stationary member such as a post: a. a support having means for attachment to said stationary member, b. an external portion of said support extending outside of and beneath said object next to the opening, c. and movable means inside said object and on said support and movable to latch said object against said external support portion, d. said movable means having an actuating portion thereon recessed inside said object and reachable only by an instrument such as a special tool inserted therein, said external portion being closed around said stationary member except for a tool opening therein, said support being a bracket having an internal portion to be conformed inside said object and an external portion extending outwardly from said stationary member and closing same therearound except for special tool openings; said bracket comprising a recess on the internal portion in which is fitted the end of the stationary support and there being attachment portions at spaced locations; securing members pivotally attached on said attachment portions and being operated to lie over the inside of the object; an actuating means on said securing members operable only by a tool of a special configuration inserted through said tool openings, f. said securing members comprising flat finger members mounted in openings on said bracket and being retained in place by an actuating member passing therethrough; said actuating member being adjustable to allow said finger members to adjust for various thicknesses and sizes of globes.
 2. The device claimed in claim 1: said actuating member being a screw threaded member keyed to said finger member.
 3. In a security device for attaching an object with an opening therein such as a globe to a stationary member such as a post: a. a support having means for attachment to said stationary member, b. an external portion of said support extending outside of and beneath said object next to the opening, c. and movable means inside said object and on said support and movable to latch said object against said external support portion, d. said movable means having an actuating portion thereon recessed inside said object and reachable only by an instrument such as a special tool inserted therein, said external portion being closed around said stationary member except for a tool opening therein, e. said support being a bracket having an internal portion to be conformed inside said object and an external portion extending outwardly from said stationary member and closing same therearound except for special tool openings; said bracket comprising a recess on the internal portion in which is fitted the end of the stationary support and there being attachment portions at spaced locations; securing members pivotally attached on said attachment portions and being operated to lie over the inside of the object; an actuating means on said securing members operable only by a tool of a special configuration inserted through said tool openings, e. a peripheral member mounted on said object at the inner peripheral rim of the opening therein and having a ledge over which lies said securing members in engagement therewith, f. said peripheral member being segmented from two or more segments each comprising a horizontal flat surface and a vertical flat surface; said bracket having a vertical ledge against which the vertical portion of said segmented members are engaged when the assembly is tightened in place.
 4. The device in claim 3: said segmented members each having a recess therein. 